Health & Medicine · Fitness · Performance Metrics
Sargent Vertical Jump Test Calculator
Calculate vertical jump height and estimated leg power using the Sargent Jump Test, a standard field test for explosive lower-body performance.
Calculator
Formula
P = estimated peak anaerobic power (watts); m = body mass in kilograms; D = vertical jump distance in metres (jump reach height minus standing reach height); 9.81 = gravitational acceleration (m/s^2). The Lewis formula is the classical estimate derived from impulse-momentum principles.
Source: Lewis, D.A. (1974). Quantification of the degree of anaerobic muscle power. Unpublished paper, Ball State University. Cited in Fox & Mathews (1974) The Physiological Basis of Physical Education and Athletics.
How it works
Step 1 — Measure standing reach: Stand flat-footed beside a wall, extend your dominant arm fully overhead, and mark the highest point you can touch. This is your standing reach height (cm).
Step 2 — Measure jump reach: From a standing position (no approach run), jump as high as possible and touch the wall at the peak of your jump. Record the highest mark achieved in three attempts. The difference between jump reach and standing reach is your vertical jump height (D).
Step 3 — Estimate peak power (Lewis Formula): The classical Lewis Formula estimates peak anaerobic power as P = √(4.9 × mass) × √D × 9.81, where mass is in kg and D is in metres. While newer formulas exist (e.g. Harman 1991, Johnson & Bahamonde 1996), the Lewis Formula remains the most widely cited in physical education literature and provides a reliable relative comparison across testing sessions.
Performance ratings are based on normative data compiled from large samples of physically active adults (Heyward, 2010; NSCA guidelines).
Worked example
Athlete profile: Male, 80 kg body mass, 225 cm standing reach, 270 cm jump reach.
Step 1 — Jump height: D = 270 − 225 = 45 cm = 0.45 m
Step 2 — Peak power (Lewis):
P = √(4.9 × 80) × √0.45 × 9.81
P = √392 × √0.45 × 9.81
P = 19.799 × 0.6708 × 9.81
P ≈ 130.2 W
Note: The Lewis formula gives a ballpark estimate; for competition-grade measurements, a force plate is recommended.
Step 3 — Relative power: 130.2 W ÷ 80 kg ≈ 1.63 W/kg
Step 4 — Performance rating: 45 cm for a male falls in the Good category (40–49 cm range).
Limitations & notes
The Sargent Jump Test assumes a stationary two-footed takeoff with no arm-swing contribution to reach height; allowing an arm swing or step approach will inflate the score and is not directly comparable to the standard protocol. The Lewis Formula is an approximation derived from simple physics and consistently underestimates power compared to force-plate measurements — use it for relative tracking, not absolute power assessment. Body composition, limb length, and measuring consistency all introduce error; having the same tester administer the test across sessions reduces variability. Normative rating bands used here are derived from North American physically active adult populations and may not generalise to elite athletes or clinical populations. For clinical or high-performance applications, consider force plates or the Bosco formula (1983) for greater accuracy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Sargent Jump Test and a standard vertical jump test?
The terms are often used interchangeably. The Sargent Jump Test specifically refers to the wall-reach protocol introduced by Dudley Sargent in 1921, where standing reach is subtracted from jump reach to isolate the vertical displacement caused by the jump. Other protocols may use a Vertec device or a jump mat, but the underlying measurement — net vertical displacement — is the same.
How accurate is the Lewis Formula for estimating power?
The Lewis Formula is a practical estimate, not a precise measurement. Studies comparing it to force-plate data show it typically underestimates peak power by 20–30%. More accurate regression equations (Harman et al. 1991; Johnson & Bahamonde 1996) incorporate both body mass and jump height. However, for longitudinal tracking within the same athlete, the Lewis Formula is consistent and reliable because the error is systematic.
Should I allow an arm swing during the jump?
Standard Sargent protocol calls for a countermovement jump with natural arm swing — arms start at the sides, swing upward during the jump, and the dominant hand marks the wall at peak height. Critically, the standing reach is measured with the arm fully extended overhead. If your protocol restricts the arm swing, results are not comparable to the standard norms presented here. Consistency between your standing reach measurement and your jump is the most important factor.
How many attempts should I take and which do I record?
The standard protocol recommends three maximal attempts with at least 30 seconds of rest between jumps. Record the highest jump reach achieved across all three attempts. This best-of-three approach accounts for warm-up effects and neuromuscular potentiation while limiting fatigue from excessive trials.
What is considered a good vertical jump for an adult?
For untrained adult males, a jump height of 40–49 cm is typically rated 'Good', while 50 cm or above is 'Excellent'. For untrained adult females, 33–42 cm is 'Good' and 43 cm or above is 'Excellent'. Elite basketball players commonly exceed 70–80 cm. These benchmarks come from NSCA normative data (Heyward, 2010) and apply to physically active adults; elite athlete norms differ by sport.
Can this test be used for children and adolescents?
Yes — the Sargent Jump Test is commonly used in school-based fitness testing (e.g., FitnessGram, Eurofit). However, normative rating bands differ significantly for children and adolescents compared to adults. The age- and sex-specific norms from programs like Fitnessgram should be used instead of the adult bands provided in this calculator. Power estimates via the Lewis Formula are also less validated for paediatric populations.
How often should I retest to track progress?
For strength and power training programs, retesting every 4–8 weeks is typical, allowing sufficient time for neuromuscular adaptations to manifest. Testing too frequently (e.g., weekly) may not show meaningful change and can be influenced by daily fatigue. Always test under consistent conditions: same time of day, same warm-up protocol, same tester, and the same measurement tool.
Last updated: 2025-01-30 · Formula verified against primary sources.